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Trinity Barristers in Chambers & Partners 2015

Barristers from a range of Trinity's practice groups have been recognised in the recently published 2015 edition of Chambers & Partners "Your guide to the world's best lawyers". Barristers in Trinity's Business, Chancery, Criminal, Employment,Family and Matrimonial Finance and Licensing groups have been mentioned. Chambers are again ranked in Band 1 for Family/Matrimonial. The Trinity Clerking teams also receive recognition in the directory. The entries are as follows:-

Family/Matrimonial - Band 1

Trinity Chambers is widely recognised on the North Eastern Circuit for its breadth of expertise in family law. Its high-calibre family team is accomplished in areas spanning challenging ancillary proceedings to sensitive children matters for a variety of lay, professional and high-profile clients. "Its clerks, led by Alison Dickason, and reception staff are very efficient and helpful. They are a credit to the Chambers."

James Richardson - Specialises in financial disputes concerning matrimonial matters and cohabitation issues. He works with a wide variety of clients on high-value proceedings, and is particularly renowned for his meticulous and vigorous approach to his practice. "He is silently lethal – well prepared and uber-confident, providing great financial counsel." "In his practice he is tenacious and forensically thorough."

Christopher Knox - Handles a number of family finance matters on behalf of high net worth clients, and is noted for undertaking particularly challenging cases. He has a wealth of experience in dealing with ancillary relief proceedings and is highly praised for his innovative advocacy style."He fights his corner time and again. He is excellent at cross-examination." "He thinks outside of the box and his cross-examination is superb."

Nicola Shaw - Regularly instructed on matrimonial disputes. She is particularly noted for her training in collaborative law, and her client-friendly approach and innovative thinking set her apart from other practitioners in the field. "She sits as a Deputy District Judge and provides good, solid advice in financial cases. She is very accessible and takes a real interest in the case." "She is thoughtful, very client-friendly and a pleasure to work with."

Timothy Spain - Focuses predominantly on ancillary relief issues. His reputation is centred on his expertise in matrimonial finance matters, and he is also well regarded for the plethora of work he has conducted involving vulnerable children and adults."He is excellent with his clients and gets impressive results." "He exhibits excellent attention to detail, as well as a commitment to great client care."

Justin Gray - Focuses his practice on children law, although he is also highly respected for his handling of Court of Protection matters involving vulnerable adults. He has succeeded in establishing himself as a proficient child care practitioner and has considerable expertise in cases which feature cross-border aspects. "He is an excellent advocate who gets immediately to the core of an issue."

Nicholas Stonor - Demonstrates specialist expertise in cases that have particularly complex medical components to the evidence. He frequently acts on behalf of guardians and family members, and is praised for his ability to establish an easy rapport with his clients. "He pays close attention to detail, and is always forensic and thorough in his preparation. He is a formidable adversary who is unfailingly courteous."

Chancery - Band 2

Solicitors view Trinity Chambers as a strong set for chancery work in Newcastle. Members have a broad range of expertise covering the entire spectrum of both contentious and non-contentious work. In particular, the group is skilled in handling probate disputes, real property claims, fraud cases and Court of Protection applications. Members of chambers are accustomed to dealing with cases of varying levels of complexity and have experience before a number of tribunals from the County Courts to the Supreme Court.

Simon Goldberg - Heads the set's commercial litigation team and maintains a broad chancery practice. He represents a range of clients from individuals to large plcs on high-value litigation in the Chancery Division. "He is very approachable and very effective at what he does."

Commercial Dispute Resolution - Band 2

Trinity Chambers' business law team handles a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious matters for a variety of clients, including SMEs, local authorities and individual professionals. The set is able to cover the full range of commercial litigation, including disputes relating to insolvency, construction and engineering. "The clerks are really excellent and responsive."

Simon Goldberg - Has a broad commercial and chancery practice noted for its focus on shareholder disputes and directors' duties. A veteran advocate, he has considerable experience of litigating in the Chancery and Queen's Bench Divisions of the High Court."He combines good analytical skills with a firm grasp of the commercial realities of the client's situation." He acted in a dispute between Big Communications and Opia, successfully defending against a claim of breach of contract concerning an online racing game.

Charles Holland - Has a strong commercial and chancery practice focused on business and property matters. He is noted for his considerable expertise in the leisure sector. "He is absolutely first-class. His paperwork is thorough, and his attention to detail on drafting is excellent." He acted in a High Court claim and a subsequent £20 million counterclaim related to monies invested in the Dubai property market.

Crime - Band 2

Trinity Chambers is highly regarded for its criminal law expertise. Members act for the prosecution and the defence in high-profile and complex criminal cases, in all courts including the appellate courts. They are recommended for their expertise in serious crime, regulatory crime and financial crime.

Toby Hedworth QC - Covers the entirety of criminal law. He is particularly noted for his expertise in drugs conspiracies, murders and gangland executions. "He has superb advocacy and client care skills. "Defended Stephen Seddon, who was convicted of the execution-style killing of his parents.

Christopher Knox - Advises clients in complex criminal defence cases. He is recommended for his capabilities in serious sex offences and cases involving informants. Successfully prosecuted members of a sex attack gang who groomed underage girls.

Clinical Negligence

Mike Hill - Has a broad clinical negligence practice, and acts for both claimants and defendants. He is a former dental surgeon, and is particularly highly valued for his expertise in dental negligence cases. "He is always willing to help, and he really simplifies complex dental cases."

Employment

Jane Callan - Heads the set's employment practice. She regularly advises public sector respondents, and demonstrates particular expertise in discrimination and equal pay matters. She also handles claimant work relating to trade union activities and disability claims. "She has incredible attention to detail and is completely thorough. She works really hard, doesn't miss a thing and you know that she is going to go all out for you."

Simon Goldberg - Acts regularly in the ET, EAT and High Court. He is well regarded for his expertise in proceedings involving discrimination and equal pay. "He is an excellent, extremely clear and very forceful yet absolutely fair advocate. He does an extremely good job for his client." "He is sharp and shrewd." Advised Newcastle City Council on a four-day race discrimination and unfair dismissal hearing at the ET.

Richard Stubbs - Regularly instructed on multi-day hearings of high value. He handles complex equal pay, TUPE and discrimination claims, and acts for individuals, local government, and NHS trusts. "He is highly intelligent, hard-working, extremely level-headed and very much a team player. He is a clear and compelling advocate who copes extremely well with pressure, and if the situation demands he is also able to work very quickly. He is a delightful person to work with." "He is brilliant. He is going to be a real star in the future. "Represented the claimant in a GMF defence test case against the Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

Jamie Morgan - Regularly offers advice and representation to claimants in discrimination cases and TUPE-related dismissals. He is particularly experienced in matters concerning equal pay litigation. "He provides excellent client care, he is able to think on his feet and is willing to engage in a two-way exchange of ideas, which is extremely important for effective advocacy." Successfully represented claimants against St Helens MBC in an equal pay claim.

Licensing

Charles Holland - Band 1 Handles the gamut of licensing work, including liquor, gambling and entertainment licensing. He is particularly noted for his expertise in large-scale venue licensing and taxi licensing. "He is extremely personable and very thorough, and goes the extra mile for the client - he does an immense amount of research." "He stands out for his advocacy, his approach is not aggressive but firm and he doesn't talk down to anyone." He successfully retained the licence of the Inside Out club in Darlington after it came under police review.

Joan Smith - Acts for both applicants and objectors on taxi, firearms, liquor and gambling licensing before licensing committees and the magistrates' court. She is highly regarded for her taxi licensing practice, which includes advising statutory bodies on matters of policy."She is very approachable, thorough in her research and strong in her presentations in court."